Heart & Hustle Award

Created by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association in 2005, the Heart & Hustle Award is voted on by Alumni and active Major League players and is presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.

The MLBPAA formed 30 committees, comprised of Alumni players with established relationships to each team. One player from each Major League team is chosen by the committees based on the passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. These players will be recognized prior to an upcoming home game. As the season draws to a close, fans, all Alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 team winners.

2012 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

During his breakout season for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2012, Mike Trout was honored as the 2012 Heart & Hustle Award winner. Trout led the league in runs scored (129) and stolen bases (49) and was unanimously voted the American League's Rookie of the Year. He was named an All-Star during the season and won a Silver Slugger Award. Trout finished the season with a batting average of .326, 182 hits and a fielding percentage of .988. Trout's season accomplishments, as well as his passion for baseball, made him a more-than-worthy winner of the 2012 Heart & Hustle Award.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Willie Bloomquist

• Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia

• Atlanta Braves: Martin Prado

• Chicago White Sox: Alex Rios

• Chicago Cubs: Darwin Barney

• Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis

• Cincinnati Reds: Chris Heisey

• Detroit Tigers: Austin Jackson

• Colorado Rockies: Michael Cuddyer

• Kansas City Royals: Jeff Francoeur

• Houston Astros: Jose Altuve

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Mike Trout

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Jerry Hairston Jr.

• Minnesota Twins: Jamey Carroll

• Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes

• New York Yankees: Curtis Granderson

• Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Hart

• Oakland Athletics: Jonny Gomes

• New York Mets: David Wright

• Seattle Mariners: Munenori Kawasaki

• Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz

• Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen

• Texas Rangers: David Murphy

• San Diego Padres: Nick Hundley

• Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion

• San Francisco Giants: Melky Cabrera

• St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese

• Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper

2011 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Torii Hunter is a four-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove Award winner, and also won the Silver Slugger Award in 2009. During the 2011 season, Hunter finished with a .262 average, 23 home runs and 82 RBIs, bringing his career total to over 1,000 RBIs. On the field, Hunter finished with a .989 fielding percentage and made only three errors during the entire season. Hunter's charity, the Torii Hunter Project Education Initiative, provides college scholarships for students in California, Nevada, Minnesota and Hunter's home state of Arkansas. He is also active in the Big Brothers Organization and the Prostate Cancer Foundation. His work earned him the 2009 Branch Rickey Award, which is given based on excellence in charity work.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Matt Wieters

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Ryan Roberts

• Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia

• Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

• Chicago White Sox: Juan Pierre

• Chicago Cubs: Darwin Barney

• Cleveland Indians: Asdrubal Cabrera

• Cincinnati Reds: Miguel Cairo

• Detroit Tigers: Alex Avila

• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

• Kansas City Royals: Alex Gordon

• Houston Astros: Jason Bourgeois

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Jamey Carroll

• Minnesota Twins: Michael Cuddyer

• Miami Marlins: Gaby Sanchez

• New York Yankees: Curtis Granderson

• Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

• Oakland Athletics: Kurt Suzuki

• New York Mets: Jose Reyes

• Seattle Mariners: Miguel Olivo

• Philadelphia Phillies: Roy Halladay

• Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Neil Walker

• Texas Rangers: Mike Napoli

• San Diego Padres: Chris Denorfia

• Toronto Blue Jays: J.P. Arencibia

• San Francisco Giants: Andres Torres

• St. Louis Cardinals: Jon Jay

• Washington Nationals: Ian Desmond

2010 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

Up until the 2010 season, his first with the Phillies, Roy Halladay had spent his entire career with the Blue Jays. Chosen in the 1995 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Halladay pitched in his first Major League game in 1998, and after a rough start has had an amazing career. Halladay won the 2003 American League Cy Young Award, 2010 National League Cy Young Award, has been named to eight All-Star teams and has led the league in shutouts three times. Apart from his on-the-field accomplishments, the ace is actively involved in the community. While in Toronto, he started the "Doc's Box" program in which he and his wife, Brandy, brought kids from the local children's hospital with their families to a Blue Jays game. They were treated to a day of baseball along with a hat, T-shirt, program and other Blue Jays gear.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Ty Wiggington

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Chris Young

• Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia

• Atlanta Braves: Jason Heyward

• Chicago White Sox: A.J. Pierzynski

• Chicago Cubs: Tyler Colvin

• Cleveland Indians: Shin-Soo Choo

• Cincinnati Reds: Jonny Gomes

• Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Jason Bourgeois

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Joel Pineiro

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Matt Kemp

• Minnesota Twins: Nick Punto

• Miami Marlins: Gaby Sanchez

• New York Yankees: Brett Gardner

• Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun

• Oakland Athletics: Kurt Suzuki

• New York Mets: Jose Reyes

• Seattle Mariners: Franklin Gutierrez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Roy Halladay

• Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Neil Walker

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: Chris Denorfia

• Toronto Blue Jays: John McDonald

• San Francisco Giants: Andres Torres

• St. Louis Cardinals: Jon Jay

• Washington Nationals: Ian Desmond

2009 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

A 13th-round draft pick in 1999 by the Cardinals, Albert Pujols spent 11 big league seasons in St. Louis. Widely considered one of the greatest players in the modern era, Pujols continued to display in 2009 the power and consistency that makes him one of the most featured hitters in the league. Pujols once again put up Triple Crown numbers with a .324 average, a MLB-leading 47 home runs and 135 RBIs. Pujols was the leading vote getter for the 2009 All-Star Game, receiving the highest number of votes in National League history. A two-time NL MVP, eight-time All-Star, 2001 NL Rookie of the Year and 2006 Gold Glove Winner, Pujols does as much off the field as he does on it. Pujols created the Pujols Family Foundation dedicated to "the love, care and development of people with down syndrome and their families," and he leads relief efforts in his native country, the Dominican Republic. Pujols' all-around heart and hustle earn him titles such as the The Sporting News MLB Player of the Decade and the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award winner, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual contribution to his team.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Mark Reynolds

• Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury

• Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

• Chicago White Sox: Mark Buehrle

• Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Adam Rosales

• Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge

• Colorado Rockies: Clint Barmes

• Kansas City Royals: Mark Teahen

• Houston Astros: Hunter Pence

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer

• Miami Marlins: John Baker

• New York Yankees: Nick Swisher

• Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Cameron

• Oakland Athletics: Jack Cust

• New York Mets: David Wright

• Seattle Mariners: Jose Lopez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Evan Longoria

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Ryan Doumit

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: David Eckstein

• Toronto Blue Jays: Rod Barajas

• San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval

• St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols

• Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

2008 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Grady Sizemore, Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore was the fourth recipient of the Heart & Hustle Award when Orestes Destrade announced him as the winner at the Legends for Youth Dinner on Nov. 7, 2008, in New York. Sizemore, who turned 26 in August 2008, set career highs in 2008 in doubles (39), home runs (38), RBIs (90), stolen bases (38) and bases on balls (98), and played defense well enough to earn his second straight Gold Glove Award. Sizemore finished 10th in the MVP voting despite his team finishing in third place, won his first Silver Slugger and was named an All-Star for the third time. All of those astounding feats combined with his on-field passion and energy made Sizemore a great choice as the fourth award winner.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Stephen Drew

• Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury

• Atlanta Braves: Yunel Escobar

• Chicago White Sox: Joe Crede

• Chicago Cubs: Geovany Soto

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Jerry Hairston Jr.

• Detroit Tigers: Curtis Granderson

• Colorado Rockies: Clint Barmes

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Hunter Pence

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Torii Hunter

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Mike Redmond

• Miami Marlins: Dan Uggla

• New York Yankees: Derek Jeter

• Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Hart

• Oakland Athletics: Jack Cust

• New York Mets: David Wright

• Seattle Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Jonny Gomes

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Matt Capps

• Texas Rangers: Ian Kinsler

• San Diego Padres: Adrian Gonzalez

• Toronto Blue Jays: Vernon Wells

• San Francisco Giants: Randy Winn

• St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols

• Washington Nationals: Jesus Flores

2007 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

In his last season, Craig Biggio joined the 3,000-hit club, capping off his 20th year with the Houston Astros. Biggio finished the season with a .979 fielding average, a .251 batting average and 130 hits. He also received the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to the player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team." For his career, Biggio was a seven-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove Award winner and received the Silver Slugger Award five times. He also won the Branch Rickey award in 1997 and the Hutch award in 2005.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Brian Roberts

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Conor Jackson

• Boston Red Sox: Kevin Youkilis

• Atlanta Braves: Kelly Johnson

• Chicago White Sox: Jim Thome

• Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Ryan Freel

• Detroit Tigers: Curtis Granderson

• Colorado Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki

• Kansas City Royals: David DeJesus

• Houston Astros: Craig Biggio

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Chone Figgins

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin

• Minnesota Twins: Torii Hunter

• Miami Marlins: Alfredo Amezaga

• New York Yankees: Mariano Rivera

• Milwaukee Brewers: Bill Hall

• Oakland Athletics: Nick Swisher

• New York Mets: Endy Chavez

• Seattle Mariners: Raul Ibanez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley

• Tampa Bay Rays: Brendan Harris

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Jack Wilson

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman

• Toronto Blue Jays: Reed Johnson

• San Francisco Giants: Omar Vizquel

• St. Louis Cardinals: So Taguchi

• Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman

2006 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: Craig Biggio, Houston Astros

Craig Biggio spent the entirety of his career with the Houston Astros, widely considered the best all-around position player in the club's history. During the 2006 season, Biggio had 135 hits, a .246 batting average and 21 homers. Biggio has served as a spokesperson for the Sunshine Kids Foundation for the majority of his career, which is a foundation that supports children fighting cancer by organizing exciting activities for them and their families.

Nominees:

• Baltimore Orioles: Ramon Hernandez

• Arizona Diamondbacks: Craig Counsell

• Boston Red Sox: Jason Varitek

• Atlanta Braves: Marcus Giles

• Chicago White Sox: Jim Thome

• Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee

• Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore

• Cincinnati Reds: Adam Dunn

• Detroit Tigers: Carlos Guillen

• Colorado Rockies: Jamey Carroll

• Kansas City Royals: Doug Mientkiewicz

• Houston Astros: Craig Biggio

• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Darin Erstad

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Eric Gagne

• Minnesota Twins: Torii Hunter

• Miami Marlins: Dontrelle Willis

• New York Yankees: Derek Jeter

• Milwaukee Brewers: Brady Clark

• Oakland Athletics: Jason Kendall

• New York Mets: Paul Lo Duca

• Seattle Mariners: Raul Ibanez

• Philadelphia Phillies: Aaron Rowand

• Tampa Bay Rays: Carl Crawford

• Pittsburgh Pirates: Jason Bay

• Texas Rangers: Michael Young

• San Diego Padres: Trevor Hoffman

• Toronto Blue Jays: Vernon Wells

• San Francisco Giants: Steve Finley

• St. Louis Cardinals: David Eckstein

• Washington Nationals: Alfonso Soriano

2005 Heart & Hustle Award

Winner: David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals

In his first season with the St. Louis Cardinals, David Eckstein was named the Heart & Hustle Award winner for his efforts both on and off the field. Eckstein had 185 hits on the season, 90 runs, 61 RBIs and a .294 batting average. Eckstein is an All-Star and World Series champion, and was a fan favorite while in St. Louis. As the inaugural winner of the Heart & Hustle Award, Eckstein embodies the spirit of baseball.

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